When I watch Disney movies nowadays, I am rarely surprised by how underwhelming they are. The magic and excitement that once made these films great seem to be missing, leaving me disappointed with the new content and wishing they still made movies the way they used to. 

In recent years, the quality of Disney movies has declined. According to Forbes, Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of the classic Snow White fairytale fell short of expectations, generating only $200 million in revenue despite an investment of about $270 million. 

Personally, I agree with fans who criticize Disney’s recent movies, as I have not found any particularly engaging in the past few years. If I want to watch one of their films, I usually choose a classic movie that does not include modern interpretations. Disney’s problem is its growing focus on the modern audience rather than staying true to its classic charm, which was the key to its past success. 

This decline is partly due to Disney’s marketing strategies. Many movies are overhyped with trailers and promotions that promise more than they can deliver, setting fans up for disappointment. For example, Pixar’s chief said that “Lightyear” created confusion among fans, as many expected it to be part of the “Toy Story” franchise rather than a separate story, contributing to its criticism. 

As a result, this trend has become a familiar pattern, and many, including myself, have lost interest in watching Disney’s recent releases. That includes “Lightyear,” which was marketed as one of the best movies ever made by Disney and Pixar in 2022, yet it only recouped $225 million out of its $250-$270 million investment, according to Box Office Mojo

I watched the movie, and it was completely underwhelming. It felt like Disney was trying to start a new franchise separate from “Toy Story,” hoping fans would want more of “Lightyear” and move on from the original movies.

One year later, Disney tried to bring back their live-action magic with “The Little Mermaid.” After the company announced that Halle Bailey, an African American actress, would play Ariel, the film sparked controversy and public criticism. Because the classic 1989 film had a white protagonist, many fans believed that changing this aspect would remove the movie’s nostalgia. 

Overall, the recent remake of “The Little Mermaid” did not attract my interest at all. Regardless of the protagonist’s race, I did not want to spend time watching what felt more like a play than a movie that was supposed to bring back the original sentiment. After its release, many people criticized the animation and pacing of the film, although some praised Bailey’s performance. Still, several viewers also said the movie felt boring and failed to capture the charm of the first film. 

Then in 2019, Disney+ was introduced as a platform to access content created by Disney, offering easy access to its movies and shows. In reality, as a former Disney+ member myself, I did not find it worth the price, costing $190 annually for a subscription without ads. Meanwhile, other streaming services, such as Netflix or Max, offer broader content and more interesting shows and movies. It is safe to say that Disney+ is merely a means for the company to generate revenue while providing recycled content that adds nothing new or exciting to the streaming world. 

Disney+ has also struggled to produce shows that truly stand out compared to other streaming services. Netflix has had various hits, such as “Stranger Things” and “DAHMER,” while Disney has produced little that feels exciting in the past years. Now, it looks like the only reason that the platform is still standing is because of its history and not its current content. 

At this point, if Disney is unable to generate the movies that once made it unique, the company will have no choice but to rethink their strategy and make the changes viewers are asking for to retain their legacy.